In everyday life, events happen in a fixed sequence: one thing happens before another. In quantum physics, however, nature can behave in surprising ways. One such phenomenon is indefinite causal order, where the order of two events is not fixed but exists in a quantum superposition. Rather than occurring in one sequence or the other, both orders can effectively happen at the same time until the system is measured. This unusual feature has…

Researchers at the Institute of Photonic Quantum Systems (PhoQS) have published a paper combining experimental and theoretical physics expertise from two research groups: the Integrated Quantum Optics group, led by Christine Silberhorn, and the Theoretical Quantum Science group, led by Jan Sperling. In this collaboration, Jonas Lammers, Laura Ares, and co-authors present a new type of photonic processor for quantum information processing.Unlike…

What exactly are photonic quantum systems, and how can light particles and quantum physics be used to transmit data? Scientists from the Institute and 21 school pupils explored this question on 2 July 2026 as part of a one-day programme on offer at the UPB Summer University , organised centrally by the empowerMINT team. The aim of the programme, ‘Photonics-based quantum systems – an interdisciplinary exploration of light particles’, was to…

Three research groups at the Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems and the Physics Departement of Paderborn University  – Theory of Functional Photonic Structures (Prof. Dr Stefan Schumacher), Ultrafast Nanophotonics (Prof. Dr Thomas Zentgraf) and Theoretical Quantum Science (Prof. Dr Jan Sperling) – have made progress in the field of modern photonics in their latest work. In two publications, the researchers investigated how light can be…

On Tuesday, 12 May 2026, the Collaborative Research Centre TRR 358, the Institute of Mathematics and the Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems at Paderborn University invited interested schoolgirls to the new PhoQS Lab. The event was aimed at schoolgirls in grades 9 to 12 who wanted to find out more about Mathematics, Physics and their application in current research. A total of 12 schoolgirls from a large catchment area took part - from…

On 28 April 2026, we welcomed students interested in physics from the twelfth grade of Elsen Comprehensive School to the Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems. During their visit, they gained exciting insights into photonic quantum systems and were able to experience them outside the classroom. The visit was organised by teacher Anna Trilling and Dr. Anna Bauer, who is responsible for promoting young talent at PhoQS. Dr Benjamin Brecht (AG…

How can information be encrypted in such a way that no one can intercept it unnoticed? This was precisely the question that the participants of this year's Girls' Day workshop "Quantum Cryptography - Secrets that no one can crack" at the Institute of Photonic Quantum Systems (PhoQS) at Paderborn University on 23 April 2026 addressed. The aim was to get schoolgirls interested in science, technology and, in particular, current developments in…

We are delighted to welcome Prof. Dr. Sina Saravi to PhoQS! He joined the institute's team of PIs at the end of last year. His working group, ‘Modeling and Design of Photonic Quantum Systems,’ complements the institute's research spectrum with expertise in electrical engineering. His focus is on quantum and neuromorphic photonics, in particular the design and simulation of nanophotonic systems for optical quantum technologies and neuromorphic…